Pbentiss selby



(No Model.)

P. SELBY.

CARTRIDGE LOADING MACHINE.

N0.884,089Q I PatentedJune5.1888,

. ,UNITED STATES PATENT Grains.

PRENTISS SELBY, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

CARTRlDGE-LOAlJING MACHINE.-

SPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 384,089, dated June 5,1888. Application filed August 2, 1887. Serial No. 245,979. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PRENTISS SELBY, of Oakland, Alameda county, State ofCalifornia, have invented an Improvement in Cartridge- Loading Machines;and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same. I My invention relates to improvements incartridge-loading machines.

The feature ofmy present invention is an improved device for crimpingthe shells after the powder, shot, and wads are in place.

It consists of a vertically-moving stem or spindle, with means forrotating the same, and an arrangement of springs and weighted armswhereby the operation is more perfectly per- -formed.

Referring to the accompanying drawing for a more complete explanation ofmy invention, the figure is a view showing a section of the rotary tablewith one of the cylindrical chamhers for holding the shell and themechanism for crimping the shell when it is brought to the proper point.

A is the table, having the chambers B, into which the shells aredeposited by mechanism which I have not here shown, as it forms no partof my invention.

0 is the vertical stem or spindle passing through the lower guide, D,and having the crimping-flangeE fixed to its lower end, so as to 'be inposition to be pressed upon the cartridge contained in the chamber orhole 13 to crimp its upper open end when properly presented.

5 The upper end of the spindle C is made c0ni cal in shape, and the longheavy rod F, which extends up through the door or guide G, has

a corresponding socket in its lower end, which fits over the spindleCtightly enough, so that 40 the two will be rotated together.

H is a pulley around which the drivingbelt passes from the source ofpower, and this pulley rotates the shaft. F and the spindle G, turuingin the guides, so as tooanse the crimping- '2; 5 flange E to be rotatedfor the purpose of crimping the shell.

The spindle 0 passes through an arm or guide, I, which is caused to riseand fall by means of a crank-wheel, J, and a connecting- 501 pitman, K.This crimping movement has heretofore been performed by means of a sharpspiral thread or screw formed upon the spindle'of the crimper and auntwhich fits said thread and moves upward and downward, so as to rotatethe spindle when the crimper is fitted over the shell; but this isobjectionable in some particulars, and' especially because it isdifficult to bring the exact pressure desired upon a crimper, andbecause it is impossible to bring this pressure upon the shell 'gradu-6o ally. In the present case 1 effect this by means of springs L, whichsurround thevspindle O and rest upon an adjustable collar, M. "Ihiscollar may be raised or lowered upon the spin-. dle, according to theamount of pressure de sired, and when the bar I is loweredby themovement of the crank-wheel J the crimper first rests upon the edge ofthe cartridge-shell, anda further downward movement of the bar, which isproduced'by the rotation of the crank, 7: brings the pressure of the barupon the top of the spring L, thus pressing the crimper grad uallydownward with whatever force may be desired. As the weight of the rod Fand the spindle C is considerable, I employ the springs N and O torelieve this weight and to allow the crimper to come down gradually uponthe shell. The rod F, which extends upward a, considerable distancethrough the guide or door G, has the spring 0, surrounding its upper endand resting upon the top of the upper guide, while the upper end of therod has a head or collar, P, which rests upon the top of the spring,thus relieving the rod 0 and crimper of too great a weight. The spring Nrests upon the top of the bar I or an adjustable sleeve through whichthe spindle 0 passes, and the collar Q, which is fixed to the rod 0,rests upon this spring. It will be manifest from this construction thatwhen the crank of the wheel J is at its highest point the crimper willbe raised above the cartridge, and the weight of the spindle C and rod F'will be supported upon the springs N and 0. 'As the crankwheel performsits revolution, allowing the bar I to move downward, the edge of thecrimper E will first press lightly upon the top of the shell, the wholebeing kept in rapid rotation by means of the belt and belt-pulley H, andas the supporting-bar I continues its descent the weight of the spindleG-and rod F IOC will gradually be brought altogether upon the I thecrimper down upon the edge of the sheil nation with the supporti ngnrnithrough which erin'ipeh- A further descent of the her I causes ittocommence pressingupon the top of the spring L, and the force broughtupon this spring is increased to any desired point, .depending upon theposition of the collar M and the consequent tension of the spring L. 1

By this construction I am enabled to bring with a gentle andgraduaily-incrensing press ure instead of with r i abrupt blow, in theformer construction.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patient, is I p 1. In a. certridge'doziding machine,the vertically-moving criinpersteni and the rotating spindle seated uponits upper end, in coinhi= the stem passes,-

pitmnn connected with one end of said arm, a, ernnk wheel to which theopposite end of the pitmun' is attached, the collars M and Q on theverticalsteni, and the springs bearing against the collars,substantially as described.

2. In a cartridge loading machine, the vertical spindle having thec'riniper attached to the lower end, the rising and fallingsupportingerm, in combination with the spring N and collar Q, by whichthe weight of the spindle is supported upon the arm from above, and thespring L and collar M upon the spindle beneath the arm. whereby thepressure of the arm is gradually increased by its descent, substentinllyas herein described.

3. The vertical spindle carrying the cartridge-crimper at its lower end,the rising and falling arm through which the spindle passes, thecollars, and springs, as shown, in combination with the vertical rodextending through guides in a line above the spindle, having a taperingsocket in the lower end to fit the head of the spindle, and a pulley bywhich the rod and spindle are caused to rotate, substantially as hereindescribed.

4. The vertical rising and falling spindle 5 carrying a crimping-head atits lower end and having supporting and operating springs and collars,as shown, the vertical rod standing in line above the spindle, having atapering socket in its lower end fitting 2. correspondingly-shaped headof the spindle, and a pulley on said red through which n rotary motionis imparted, in combination with the spring 0, surrounding the rod, andthe collar or head P, whereby the weight of the rod and spindleisautomatically reduced as they move downward, substantially as hereindescribed.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

PRENTISS SELBY.

Witnesses: 7

JAMES L. Kmn, S. H. NoURsE.

